Eric Holmes, former Battle Ground city manager,
named Vancouver’s economic development director

Former Battle ground city manager Eric Holmes, has been appointed economic development director the City of Vancouver, reports Vancouver city manager Pat McDonnell. Holmes succeeds Steve Burdick who left the city for private business.

Most recently Holmes was chief operating officer for MacKay & Sposito. Holmes is a University of Oregon graduate and holds a masters degree in public administration from Lewis and Clark College.

“Eric has an outstanding track record in the area of economic development in southwest Washington over the past 12 years, and I know he will do the same for Vancouver,” McDonnell said.

Clark County gets one of 11 Innovation
Partnership Zone designations from state

Gov. Chris Gregoire today announced that Discovery Corridor Innovation Zone/Steinmueller Innovation Park, Columbia River Economic Development Council is one of 11 innovation partnership zones designated by the state to become “research parks.”

The county designation will promote local research for semiconductor and micro-device design, IC manufacturing and processing, and display technology and multimedia.

“Washington is the home to some of the greatest innovations in the world and I am excited to support the continued success of our state’s world-class companies,” the governor said, “We’ve seen what can happen when we bring together research, training and economics, put them in a beaker and shake. Innovation partnership zones will be powerful economic engines to support our regional economies.”

While Clark County’s innovation zone did not immediately bring state funding, five of the innovation zones share $4,275,000 in immediate state aid.

Innovation zone designations are for four years.

RiverWalk advisory committee reappointed

Although the Waterfront Advisory Committee submitted its final report on June 6, to the Port of Camas-Washougal. the 12-member citizen advisory group has been reappointed for another year, according to port president Alan Hargrave.

Under consideration is a proposed development of Columbia River waterfront south of Highway 14 at the Port of Camas-Washougal, waterfront called RiverWalk. The $300 to $400 million mixed use development would be built through a partnership of the port and RiverWalk LLC, a partnership of Marilee Thompson, Rick Bowler, Mark and Mary Benson and John and Nancy McKibbin.

RiverWalk LLC would pay for construction on the project on port property. The port and RiverWalk LLC would share equally in net profits.

Rain garden design on WSU
Extension Service agenda

Washington State University Extension Service watershed steward Janice Ferguson will take participants through a step-by-step process of designing and building a rain garden in a 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2, class in the Firstenburg Center.

While there is no charge for the extension service program, the Firstenburg Center charges a $6 fee for registration. To register, call 487-7001, or go to http://www.vanclarkparks-rec.org.

English Pit opens for rifle sight-ins

The English Pit shooting range, closed to the public since 2005, is being re-opened by the Clark County Gun Club to allow hunters to adjust sights on rifles.

Rifle sight-ins will be allowed from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17.

A range fee of $10 per person will be charged, with a limit of two rifles per person. The English Pit is at 900 NE 192nd Avenue. For additional information, go to http://www.englishpit.com. 

People

Bank of Clark County’s Julia M. Adelman, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Karen D. York, senior vice president and controller in the finance department, have graduated from the Pacific Coast Banking School. Adelman, a certified public accountant, is also a graduate of St. Cloud State University.

The Pacific Coast Banking School is a partner with the University of Washington Graduate School of Business.

Calendar

The Vancouver City Council will review the design of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Eastside Community Library from 4 to 4:30 p.m. today, after which the council will go into an executive session. Following its executive session, the council meets at 7 p.m. to consider a consent agenda. <> Clark County commissioners meet in a regular session at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 2.  

Headlines Monday, Oct. 1, 2007